Knox students hear about fire prevention

Firefighters from Homeworth and North Georgetown fire departments visited Knox Elementary School recently.

Fire trucks and rescue vehicles staffed with firefighters rolled into the parking lot and the school conducted a fire drill.

Firefighters then visited classrooms and presented the annual program to kindergarten and third grade students.

"We used to bus them to the fire station for the program," said Homeworth Fire Department President Albert Johnston.

Students watched a short video about drawing a map for an escape plan and fire safety rules. They heard from various firefighters and went outside to see the trucks and hear about their functions.

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National Fire Prevention week started Oct. 9 and continues through Saturday. This year's theme, "What Can You Do" is encouraging all Ohioans to think of at least one thing they can do to prevent a fire in their home.

Installing and maintaining fire alarms in the home is also important. Homeworth Fire Capt. Don Morrow showed kids what a fire/smoke alarm looks like and how they work. He told kids if they don't have alarms in their home, have their parents contact any firefighter to get one.

The National theme for fire prevention week is "Don't Wait -- Check the Date." If the manufactured date of the alarm is more than 10 years ago, the entire unit needs to be replaced. Smoke alarms are less effective after 10 years.

Morrow also told kids they need to know their address; house number and road or street name along with the phone number of the fire department. "Calling 911 may not be real effective so it's best to call the fire department phone number (330-938-6114)," said Morrow.

Johnston talked about the "Stop, Drop and Roll" technique and had each student try it.

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"It's important not to run if your clothes are on fire," said Johnston and explained that technique will snuff out the fire.

In order that kids know what a firefighter in full gear looks like, firefighter Clark Koehn put on the gear complete with mask. He talked through the mask in order for kids to know what it sounds like.

"If there's a fire in your house, don't hide, call out so we can come and get you," said Morrow. "Once you're out, don't go back in."

He also advised kids to talk about an escape plan with their parents and siblings and practice it twice a year. Morrow also advised kids before leaving a room, touch the door or door knob and if it's hot, don't open; if there is smoke coming from under the door, block cracks with a blanket.

Outside, Homeworth Fire Chief Brian Baker talked about each truck as he and the students walked around them. "Each truck serves a different purpose," said Baker, who said each truck has different equipment on it. For instance, the tanker truck hauls 3,000 gallons of water and firefighters fill it as needed to fight a fire.

Each student received a safety packet that included information about fire prevention in a child-friendly coloring book.

"Thanks to the Homeworth and North Georgetown fire departments for doing this for us each year," said Knox Elementary School principal Matthew Fowler. "The kids get to how them, see what they look like and will go to them in case of a fire." He added the firefighters also get to know the kids.

Homeworth and North Georgetown fire departments work cooperatively to cover Knox Township.